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User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting methodRelated Patent Categories: Data Processing: Presentation Processing Of Document, Operator Interface Processing, And Screen Saver Display Processing, Operator Interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface)User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060242579, User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-123451 filed in Japan on Apr. 24, 2005, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a user interface used to set a processing mode in an image processing apparatus, for example. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In recent years, image processing apparatuses have acquired an increasing number of functions, as exemplified by a multifunction peripheral, for example. Therefore, users are forced to find a way to select and set the desired processing mode from among multiple processing modes that define print processing and subsequent processing. In such an image processing apparatus, setting errors may result in deviations between the processing result sought by the user and the actual result of processing. Therefore, conventional image processing apparatuses include an apparatus that displays a preview of the expected completed image on the recording paper prior to actual processing (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-296090) and an apparatus that displays possible stapling positions as selection options where the stapling function has been selected (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-078997). [0006] According to the conventional image processing apparatuses described above, the user can check and confirm the set processing mode prior to processing. However, because the conventional image processing apparatuses have a number of available processing modes, the problem exists that it is difficult for the user to select the desired processing mode from among such modes. For example, where the user wishes to select two-sided printing and stapling for a given image, the user must search for the desired processing mode while switching screens on the display panel several times. When this is carried out, if there are numerous available modes, it takes a long time to find the desired processing mode. Another problem is that printing of the image must be begun without the user being able to select the desired processing mode. [0007] With the conventional image processing apparatuses, while a preview of the expected completed image is displayed on the recording paper prior to actual processing, or the available stapling positions are displayed as selection options, these processes take place after the processing mode has already been set, which does not resolve the problems described above. OBJECT AND SUMMARY [0008] An object of the present invention is to resolve the problems described above. In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a user interface device and method that enable the user to easily and quickly set the processing mode. [0009] The above object is realized via the following construction. [0010] A first user interface device pertaining to the present invention is a user interface device that sets in an image processing apparatus the processing mode to execute a job. This user interface device includes a specifying unit that specifies the processing modes to be presented to the user prior to setting of the processing mode as presentation processing modes, a generating unit that generates presentation preview images showing the results of processing of the image data using these processing modes, a display unit that displays the generated presentation preview images, and a setting unit that sets in the image processing apparatus the processing modes corresponding to the displayed presentation preview images. [0011] It is preferred that the specifying unit in the first user interface device specify the presentation processing modes based on at least one processing mode set at the time of execution of a job by the image processing apparatus prior to such specification. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `second user interface device`. [0012] It is preferred that in the first user interface device, the presentation processing modes be specified based on at least one processing mode registered in advance in the image processing apparatus. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `third user interface device`. [0013] It is preferred that any of the first through third user interface devices further include a selection unit by which the user selects one presentation preview image from among the multiple displayed presentation preview images. The specifying unit specifies the multiple processing modes as the presentation processing modes, the generating unit generates a presentation preview image for each of the specified multiple presentation processing modes, the display unit displays the generated multiple presentation preview images, and the setting unit sets in the image processing apparatus the processing mode corresponding to the presentation preview image selected via the selection unit. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `fourth user interface device`. [0014] It is preferred that the processing modes in the first through fourth user interface devices include parameter values corresponding to each of the multiple processing functions. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `fifth user interface device`. [0015] It is preferred that the processing modes in the fifth user interface devices include all parameter values required by the image processing apparatus when executing a job. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `sixth user interface device`. [0016] It is preferred that the first user interface device further include an error processing storage unit that stores and associates job errors with processing modes to clear those errors, wherein the specifying unit specifies depending on the error occurring in the image processing apparatus processing modes to clear such error as specified processing modes, the generating unit generates specified preview images indicating the results of processing when the image data is processed under the specified processing modes, the display unit displays the generated specified preview images, and the setting unit sets in the image processing apparatus the processing modes corresponding to the displayed specified preview images. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `seventh user interface device`. [0017] It is preferred that the first user interface device further include an error processing storage unit that stores and associates job errors and multiple processing modes to clear these errors, wherein the specifying unit specifies depending on the error occurring in the image processing apparatus multiple processing modes to clear such error as specified processing modes, the generating unit generates specified preview images for each of the specified multiple specified processing modes, the display unit displays the generated multiple specified preview images, and that the first user interface device further include a selection unit by which the user selects one of the specified preview images from among the displayed multiple specified preview images, and the setting unit sets in the image processing apparatus the processing mode corresponding to the specified preview image selected via the selection unit. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed an `eighth user interface device`. [0018] It is preferred that the fourth user interface device further include a parameter mode storage unit that stores at least one parameter mode that prescribes for each presentation processing mode a detailed setting for that mode, wherein the generating unit generates parameter preview images that indicate the results of processing when the image data is processed under at least one stored parameter mode in connection with the presentation processing mode corresponding to the presentation preview image selected via the selection unit, the display unit displays at least one generated parameter preview image, the selection unit selects one preview image from among at least one displayed parameter preview image, and the setting unit sets in the image processing apparatus the parameter mode corresponding to the selected parameter preview image. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `ninth user interface device`. [0019] It is preferred that the generating unit of each of the first through ninth user interface devices generate the presentation preview images based on image data that is to undergo processing by the image processing apparatus. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `tenth user interface device`. [0020] It is preferred that the generating unit of each of the first through ninth user interface devices generate the presentation preview images based on image data stored in advance. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed an `eleventh user interface device`. [0021] It is preferred that the generating unit of the seventh or eighth user interface devices generate the specified preview images based on image data that is to undergo processing by the image processing apparatus. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a `twelfth user interface device`. [0022] It is preferred that the generating unit of the seventh or eighth user interface devices generate the specified preview images based on image data stored in advance. This user interface device will hereinafter be termed a thirteenth user interface device`. Continue reading about User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting method... Full patent description for User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this User interface device that sets processing mode, image processing apparatus that includes such user interface device, and processing mode setting method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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